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Codemasters VP casually reveals Dirt 3

by Ben Gilbert { Mar 12th 2010 at 1:00PM }

Up until now, we hadn't the slightest inclination that Codemasters was hard at work on a third installment in the rallycross racing series, Dirt. According to a recent interview with Edge, though, studio vice prez Gavin Cheshire confirms not only the game's development, but also says, "there's some really great stuff coming from Birmingham that's going into Dirt 3." Cheshire was being interviewed on the subject of Codemasters as one of the last "big British publishers" when he revealed the publisher's development plans for the sequel.

The exec hopes to see more of the company's home of origin (and its culture) leak into the next Dirt game, saying "Dirt 2: brilliant game, but it's all American accents, so maybe we're a little over the top with those ... maybe we should fly the flag a bit more." In addition to this week's announce of Bodycount, that brings the publisher's GDC new game reveals up to two. Will we see more before the week is out? We just dont know.

[Via VG247]

GRID: Reloaded hits PAL PS3 on March 11, includes two DLC packs

by David Hinkle { Mar 1st 2010 at 10:45AM }

2007's street-based cousin to DiRT is coming back around for another lap, with Codemasters revealing GRiD: Reloaded for PS3 -- a Platinum range bundle set for the PAL-region starting line on March 11. Download codes for both the Prestige and 8-Ball DLC packs will be included in the package, which will retail for £24.99 ($34). An Xbox 360 version is scheduled to arrive later this year.

The 8-Ball DLC pack is currently available on Xbox Live and PSN, and adds two new multiplayer events and eight new cars into the mix. The Prestige pack is new and will be available added to PSN on March 11 for £7.99 ($10.80) -- it adds the Australian Bathurst circuit and ten additional cars. There's no word of when it'll be on Xbox Live.

Codies also revealed that two different game compilation packs are in the works: an Xbox 360 bundle for £29.99 featuring the first DiRT and GRiD (sans DLC packs); and an even cheaper and more content-rich bundle for PC that features DiRT, GRiD and Fuel at £19.99. Both will release to Europe alongside Reloaded on March 11.

Best of the Rest: Randy's Picks of 2009

by Randy Nelson { Jan 2nd 2010 at 5:30PM }

Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes
If I had my way ... well, a lot of things would be different. When it came to video games, I'd make sure that everyone -- whether they own a Nintendo DS or not -- had a chance to play Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes. Now, I know, Might and Magic? Isn't that some long-dead RPG franchise that's probably best left in the ground? Well, yes -- but Clash of Heroes is about as far from any of the other games in the series as you can get. At its core, it's a puzzle game -- a combat puzzle game -- developed by Capybara, the same team behind PSN's wonderful Critter Crunch. Take that game's core mechanic, add a load of clever new ones and build a story-driven experience around it and you have one of the finest (not to mention most addicting) DS games ever.

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Okay, for serious this time, DiRT 2 is coming to PC on December 8

by Ben Gilbert { Dec 6th 2009 at 7:30PM }

After suffering from a series of delays, Codemasters rallycross racer DiRT 2 is arriving on PCs this December 8. As confirmed by Codies community man "Ice" on the developer's forums, the game will be arriving a week late to the PC due to a reason that is "far too boring to go into." He assures fans that it's not a "technical issue in any way, shape, or form," and that he has assurance from the US office that the game's ship date is confirmed for December 8. Just a few more days, PC-owning DiRT fans! We promise this time!

Gallery: DiRT 2

DiRT 2 PC demo hits the track

by David Hinkle { Dec 1st 2009 at 4:30PM }

The PC version of Codies racer DiRT 2 may be a bit behind the console pack, but it's crossing the finishing line in style. The extra time has allowed the team to throw a couple of more DirectXs in there (they've got it up to 11 now!) and fine-tune all of the game's tessellation.

And if you're still on the sidelines, wondering whether the game is for you (or, more importantly, if your puny rig can handle all of this Xtreme tessellation action), then why not try the game out right now? Codemasters was kind enough to hook up our sister site Big Download with a PC demo, so feel free to get a little dirty. Just, uh, change your clothes first. Your mom would kill us if you ruined that new Nickelback T-shirt.

DirectX 11-powered Dirt 2 heading to PCs in early December

by Ben Gilbert { Oct 22nd 2009 at 4:31PM }

During Microsoft's big coming-out party for Windows 7 today in New York City, Codemasters showed off the new DirectX 11 version of the upcoming PC port of Dirt 2 that you see above. Though the developer said little of new content additions being made to the game, the already gorgeous visuals have been gussied up with help from DirectX 11, and cheevos will be ready for the taking on Games for Windows Live. Meeting its previously announced delay head-on, Dirt 2 starts shipping in North America on December 1, with December 3 and 4 release dates for the rest of the world (in your face, world!).

GTA IV, Dead Space coming to Xbox 360 Games on Demand this month

by David Hinkle { Oct 9th 2009 at 10:00AM }

The Xbox 360's Games on Demand service is getting quite the booster shot this month, as Microsoft has announced six new titles coming to the service in October. The festivities kicked off earlier this week with the release of Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and Call of Duty 3. Here's what the rest of this month has in store:

October 13

Grand Theft Auto IV

October 20

October 27

Dead Space
DiRT

There's no word on price for any of these titles right now, so we've checked with Microsoft and will be sure to update you when we hear back.

Codemasters' go-to driving dev departs

by David Hinkle { Oct 1st 2009 at 1:32PM }

Gavin Raeburn, the guy who may be most responsible for beloved Codies-brand racers like DiRT 2 and GRID, has resigned from the company, VG247 reports. After a stint lasting more than 20 years, the former executive producer has "moved on to pastures new," said Gavin Cheshire, VP of Codemasters Development.

Cheshire added, "it's positive for any individual to move when they feel they're at the top." "[Raeburn] leaves having built an incredibly talented team that's led by key players who will drive our racing portfolio forward." There's no word on where Raeburn is headed, but there's a good chance it's Disney World.

Dirt 2 is the 'breast' tattoo simulator ever

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 3rd 2009 at 11:56AM }

Somehow we totally missed Dirt 2's reinvention of digital "dirt" -- from dusty rally racing to busty Sally tracing. At least, that's what the ploy at Dirtytats.com (NSFW) would have us believe. The game's promotional site presents visitors with a pair of animated assets to put one's ink on. We decided to give our models a lace bra–like tattoo to cover up the ample skin real estate and express -- in a word -- what we thought about this type of marketing being tied into a racing game (after the break, fellow art lovers).

Now, if Saints Row 2 had done something like this ... brilliant! It's all about context.

Gallery: DiRT 2

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Sony publishing DiRT 2 for PSP, PS3 in PAL regions

by David Hinkle { Aug 27th 2009 at 4:00PM }

Sony continues its third-party publishing strategy in PAL territories today by taking up Codemasters' DiRT 2. Unlike the Ghostbusters venture, however, this is not a timed exclusive for PlayStation platforms. MCV reports that Sony will publish the PSP and PS3 versions of the game, while Codemasters handles publishing duties on all other platforms.

Codemasters' senior VP of publishing for EPAC, Axel Herr, is glad to have Sony take over, citing the series' "great affinity with the PlayStation brand in PAL territories for over 10 years" as one of the key factors behind the decision. We're sure all of the buzz around the PS3 Slim didn't hurt either.

New Dirt 2 trailers feature fancy cars, lots of dirt

by Ben Gilbert { Jul 25th 2009 at 11:30PM }

What do a BMW Z4 Coupe, a Subaru WRX Hatch, and a mess of big trucks have in common? They'll all be at your disposal in upcoming rally-racer Dirt 2, silly! Aside from the game's striking visuals -- the ones that we marveled over when we saw it last February -- gameplay has always been a strong suit for Codemasters' dirt racer. While the video above, titled "Baja Raid," looks vaguely similar to games like Motorstorm and Pure, we expect a different, more simulation than arcade, feel from Dirt 2. Check out the rest of the trailers after the break or head over to our sister site Big Download and snag them for yourself in full HD glory.

Gallery: DiRT 2

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Dirt 2 release date all cleaned up

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 16th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Codemasters today announced the official release dates for Dirt 2. The utterly filthy racing game will hit US shores on September 8, Europe on September 10 and the UK on September 11. For those out there who aren't filthy rich enough to own all the consoles, have no fear, for Dirt 2 will be available on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS and PSP. Much like actual dirt, you should be able to find it just about anywhere.

Unless you want to pick up the PC version, which was recently delayed in order to accommodate DirectX 11. Expect it to arrive in December.

Gallery: DiRT 2

First DiRT 2 media lacks polish

by David Hinkle { Jun 23rd 2009 at 1:15PM }

When people criticize the Wii, the graphics are usually one of the first things mentioned. Codemasters' DiRT 2 is sure to bring about cries of "N64!" and other such malarkey, because, well, it looks bad. We'd like to be more diplomatic, but, yeah, you can see it in the trailer above and in the screens in the gallery below. Bad, right?

Gallery: DiRT 2

DiRT 2 tips its hat to the late Colin McRae

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 18th 2009 at 8:25PM }

When Scottish rally racer Colin McRae died in a tragic helicopter accident in September 2007, many wondered how his passing would affect the final version of DiRT, the McRae-branded racing game that would come out later that month. The answer? Well, it was too late in the game's development to include any significant changes -- but Codemasters is making sure that the upcoming sequel to the well-reviewed racer adequately tips its hat to the driver who spawned the series.

MTV Multiplayer checked out DiRT 2 during a recent preview in NYC, and reports that players will be working to qualify for the Colin McRae Memorial Cup -- what's more, Codemasters' Mark Turosz explained that players will "hear other drivers talking about him," and that "he's the central figure in the narrative." Rarely do video games dabble in real-life tragedies -- though it looks like Codemasters is handling it with a refreshing touch of class.

Gallery: DiRT 2

Codemasters signs Ken Block for DiRT 2

by David Hinkle { Mar 31st 2009 at 11:00AM }

Taking up duties as the face of the DiRT franchise, popular rally driver Ken Block tells us why he wanted to be involved in Codemasters' racer in the video above. Taking inspiration from the late (and sorely missed) Colin McRae, the new kid on the block regales his story of getting involved in the sport of rally racing and how he hopes to fill the gigantic shoes left behind. The video isn't all sitting around and talking, however, as it also shows Ken's influence in the sequel, with some brief snippets of gameplay. Expect plenty of big air opportunities in DiRT 2, as is Ken's style.

DiRT 2 is drifting toward a Fall release on the PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, ColecoVision, DS, Virtual Boy, and PC.